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Council approves Boomerang bid for tree grinding after 3–1 vote
Summary
After comparing three bids with varying mobilization fees and hourly rates, the Anamosa City Council voted 3–1 to accept Boomerang Corporation's tree grinding bid for cleanup and grinding work on the city's pile and storm-damage debris.
The Anamosa City Council voted to award a one-time tree-grinding contract to Boomerang Corporation after discussing mobilization fees and hourly grinding rates at the Aug. 11 meeting.
Council members reviewed three bids. Boomerang's bid included a $1,200 mobilization fee and a $4.30-per-hour grinding rate; competing bids quoted higher hourly rates (around $6.50–$6.75) and different mobilization approaches, with one bid listing a $1,300 mobilization and ambiguous terms about a second mobilization that could total $5,000. After council discussion about whether the existing pile would require one or multiple mobilizations, Councilmember Ritz moved to accept Boomerang's bid and the motion carried on a roll call vote with three in favor and one opposed (Dan Smith opposed).
A councilmember explained the arithmetic underpinning the decision: if the job runs eight hours, the lower hourly rate plus the $1,200 mobilization makes the Boomerang bid the most cost-effective. One councilmember expressed concern that if a second mobilization were needed and that second mobilization cost $5,000, that would change the analysis.
Public comment was taken and no speakers objected to moving forward. Council instructed staff to finalize contract language clarifying mobilization terms and to coordinate hauling and equipment logistics prior to work start. The contract award was limited to the immediate pile removal as a single mobilization unless future conditions require additional vendor mobilizations.
